The Socceroos qualified for the AFC Asian Cup final with a massive six unreplied goals past hapless Uzbekistan at the Khalifa Stadium on Tuesday to book a date with three time champion Japan on January 29th. Two goals in the first half and another four in the second half recorded the highest score in the ongoing AFC Asian Cup.
Addressing a post-match conference, Australia coach, Holger Osieck said, "We had a brilliant, fantastic show."
"Its a holiday today in Australia, its the right present to the Australian public," said Holger.
Reacting if the scoreline was as expected, Holger said, " That's unreal, yes we wanted to win but not this score."
Uzbek coach, Vadim Abramov said after the match, "Am sorry for the fans, its a big loss and we made too many mistakes."
The goals started pouring when Galatasaray of Turkey striker Harry Kewell opened the score-sheet in the fifth minute when exchanges of passes between him and Cahill released him to unleash a left shot to register his third of the tournament and his 16th international goal for country.
Asian Player of the year 2010, Sasa Ognenovski registered the second goal in the 35th minute.
David Carney made amends for his first chance when he second Australia's third goal in the 65th minute when he collected a through pass from Matt Mckay. Brett Emerton with just twelve minutes on the pitch scored the fourth goal in the 74th minute when a clever passed squared him inside the box to tap in to beat helpless Juraev.
Valeri completed the rout as a pass from Mckay releases him to shot for goal in the 82nd minute, and a minute later, Melbourne Victory striker Robbie made it six for the Socceroos in the 83rd minute.
A game largely full of chances in the first fifteen minutes also saw the Uzbek side creating one, when Ulugbek Bakaev dribbled his way into the Aussie defense and was hacked down by Luke Wilkshere, which attracted a yellow card and a free-kick.
Maksim Shatskikh curled a free-kick beyond Mark Schwarzer's far post before Australia almost grabbed a second goal on the half-hour mark when Carney intercepted a pass just inside his own half and the left-back burst forward down the wing but as he tried to chip Juraev the keeper got a hand to the ball before Uzbekistan cleared.
Australia doubled its lead and Carney was again involved. The defender's floated free-kick from the left was knocked down by Tim Cahill among a crowd of Uzbek bodies and Ognenovski was fastest to react to the loose ball to rifle home from seven yards as Australia went in at the break with a two-goal lead.
Carney scored the third goal when he dribbled from the left-side of the box and he slipped a finish under the body of the advancing Temur Juraev.
Uzbek hero in the quarterfinal match Ulugbek Bakaev got his second yellow card and the marching order after his reckless tackle on Luke Wilkshere in the 67th minute to open more spaces for the rampaging Australians to add another in the 74th minute when Wilkshire's long ball caught out the Uzbek defence and Kruse squared for Brett Emerton to slide into the empty net.
The Socceroos were running rampant and Juraev produced a safe from Kruse's shot from inside the box and the the striker had time and space to release McKay, who cut the ball back for the midfielder to score from a yard out.
Kruse added a sixth after his tame shot beat the deflated Juraev; and he got encomiums from his coach for his brilliant effort.
"Kruse is a young player and i gave him the opportunity to play for a longer period, he always does a great job in training."
"I encouraged him to go for it and he made some passes for goal for his teammate," said Holger.
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